The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed 2008 first-round draft pick Kevin Love. Love, a 6-10 forward from UCLA, was the fifth overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and was acquired by the Wolves in an eight-player trade on draft night. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We're really excited to bring a player and person of Kevin's caliber into our franchise," said Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. "He brings a lot to our team both defensively and offensively and will be a great fit with the talented young players on our roster."

Love, the Pac-10 Player of the Year, led his team in scoring (17.5 ppg) and rebounding (10.6 rpg) this season while leading UCLA to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. The consensus First Team All-American was a finalist for both the Naismith and Wooden Awards and was also named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and was an Honorable Mention selection for the league's All-Defensive Team. Love topped the 20-point mark in 11 games and posted 23 double-doubles on the season while setting school freshman single-season records for points scored (681) and rebounds (415).

Love and the Wolves will take to the court on Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m. (CDT) for their first game of the 2008 NBA Summer League against the Dallas Mavericks at Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Games follow on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.